Gina Haspel

Gina Haspel is a significant figure in the history of American intelligence, having advanced through the ranks of the Central Intelligence Agency over more than three decades to become its first female director. Haspel served as the seventh director of the Central Intelligence Agency, following a career that began in 1985 with assignments at the agency's headquarters and in undercover operations overseas. She joined the CIA during the final phase of the Cold War and spent three decades serving on the front lines of the agency's mission.

Haspel is working in the private sector as a Senior National Security Advisor at the law firm King & Spalding. She joined the firm in July 2021 following her retirement from the CIA, where she advises clients on cybersecurity and information technology. She also took over as Chair of The CIA Officers Memorial Foundation's board of directors in early 2023.

Haspel's first field assignment was in Ethiopia, followed by postings in Central Eurasia, Turkey, and several locations across Europe and Central Eurasia. She witnessed the effects of the Cold War, conducted clandestine missions, and survived a coup d'état. Her language skills led to an overseas assignment during the first Gulf War, where she collaborated with other government partners. Haspel completed seven field tours for the CIA and served as chief of station in four postings.

With the escalation of the fight against al-Qaeda, Haspel transferred to the CIA's Counterterrorism Center, beginning her role on September 11, 2001. She worked extensively in counterterrorism, often dedicating seven days a week for three years. Haspel held several senior leadership positions in Washington, including Deputy Director of the National Clandestine Service, Deputy Director for Foreign Intelligence and Covert Action, and Chief of Staff for the Director of the National Clandestine Service. She also served as the agency's deputy director and became acting director before being nominated and confirmed as the first woman to serve as CIA director on a permanent basis. The Senate confirmed her as director, making her the first female director in the agency's history and the first operations officer to hold the position since William Colby.

As director, Haspel managed a global intelligence network that included collection, analysis, covert action, counterintelligence, and liaison relationships with foreign services. Her nomination received support from more than 50 former senior U.S. government officials, including six former CIA directors and three former directors of national intelligence. Her confirmation process included scrutiny regarding her role in the CIA's post-9/11 detention and interrogation program, which drew criticism from human rights organizations and defense from colleagues in the intelligence community.

Haspel has received several awards, including the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the Legion of Honor from France, the Presidential Rank Award, the Donovan Award, the Intelligence Medal of Merit, and the George H.W. Bush Award for Excellence in Counterterrorism. After retiring from the CIA, Haspel joined King & Spalding as Senior National Security Advisor, advising clients on information technology and cybersecurity. She also serves as chair of the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation's board of directors. Haspel's career provides insight into intelligence operations, national security, cybersecurity, and global security threats.